HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah -- The active duty 388th and Reserve 419th Fighter Wings will conduct local night-flying operations with the F-35A Lightning II most weekdays starting this week through May 5.
During this period, flying is scheduled to be completed by approximately 11 p.m., but exact days and times may vary based on a number of factors including weather, airspace availability on the Utah Test and Training Range, and other support elements.
Hill’s fighter wings must train at night to maintain their combat readiness and all-weather capabilities. Night flying is limited to what is required for pilots to remain proficient in those skills for deployments.
Over the past two years, the wings have deployed in support of combat operations in the Middle East and remain ready when they are called upon. Reserve and active duty Airmen are currently deployed to Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany in support of NATO’s defense posture.
Hill AFB is home to 78 F-35A Lightning IIs. Hill's fighter wings are the Air Force's first combat-capable F-35A units. They fly and maintain the jet in a Total Force partnership that capitalizes on the strengths of both the Reserve and active duty components.